Spring 2004

WGS 393 • Cultures of American Radicalism

Course Description

This course will consider the milieu of various twentieth-century political and cultural radicals, or, broadly speaking, the Socialist and "Lyrical Left" in the 1910s, the "Old Left" in the 1930s, and the "New Left" in the 1960s. We’ll explore the ways in which these various "Lefts" were linked and differentiated—ideologically, generationally and geographically—by examining literary, artistic, cinematic, and musical expressions; we’ll also give special attention to the racial, ethnic, religious, and gender dimensions of various movements. Throughout, the course will attempt to take stock of the "special American conditions" that have given rise to and also limited the development of radical impulses in the United States, and and it will consider, too, the larger impact of dissent upon American culture and society. Course will require: oWeekly readings o Participation in class discussion oInformal written comments on assigned readings (through on-line discussion board) oA book review oFacilitation of one class discussion o A 15-20 paper (or prospectus for a longer project) involving primary and secondary researc

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